§ 7. Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold)If he will make a statement on tuberculosis in the bovine herd. [R][137138]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ms Joyce Quin)Cattle TB is a complex and serious animal health problem that is on the increase in many areas of the country. Previous control policies have not worked, and the Government are committed to pressing ahead with extensive research and field trials to identify more effective control measures.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownThe Minister will know that the latest figures for October, showing a 20 per cent. year on year increase in TB cases, show that this serious problem is getting worse. She will also know, from the new case 1062 in Shropshire, that the geographical area of TB is spreading. What action does she propose to take outside the Krebs trial areas to deal with the problem?
§ Ms QuinWe recognise the increase in cases. My noble Friend Baroness Hayman gave evidence on this issue to the Select Committee yesterday. We have increased spending on the TB strategy to £45 million this year, and further increases have been announced in the spending review. As the hon. Gentleman may well know, we raised the compensation payments to farmers from 75 per cent. to 100 per cent., which he will presumably welcome. We have to proceed with the trials on the basis that has been recommended to us, and we have held firmly to that, even though, as he knows, there are criticisms of the trials from the opposite point of view to the one that he has expressed. We have to be guided by the trials in determining what action needs to be taken.
§ Mr. Eric Martlew (Carlisle)Does my hon. Friend agree that the real solution to the problem of bovine TB lies not in the tests being held but in the development of a suitable vaccine? I asked in the House four years ago when such a vaccine would be ready and whether the necessary resources were being put in. Can my hon. Friend give the House a positive answer today?
§ Ms QuinWe are putting the resources in, but developing a vaccine is a difficult task, and it is still not near completion. I would love to be able to promise my hon. Friend that it was on the verge of being introduced, but it is not, so we have to accept the recommendations of the Krebs report and proceed with the trials.
Although the development of an effective vaccine would be tremendous news for all concerned, farmers are being encouraged to take other practical measures—such as adopting better husbandry techniques—to avoid some of the obvious risks of spreading TB. We are trying to make farmers aware of those other measures.
§ Mr. Edward Garnier (Harborough)Cattle with TB have to be slaughtered, but slaughterhouse costs are high and getting higher. Will the Minister implement as a matter of urgency the recommendations of the Maclean report?
§ Ms QuinMy right hon. Friend the Minister answered that point a little earlier, but perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman did not hear it. Clearly, we are considering the Maclean report recommendations, and hope to make an announcement very soon.